Coronavirus: What sporting events have been impacted?

The NBA announced Wednesday that it is suspending the season following tonight’s games, after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus. The NBA said it will use the hiatus to determine next steps.

The sports world continued to be impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, which was declared a pandemic Wednesday.

On Wednesday afternoon, NCAA President Mark Emmert announced that athletic events, including the upcoming men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, will be held without fans.

This really sucks but was inevitable. Still don’t think we’re out of the woods yet on the tournament not being cancelled altogether. Like @DanWetzel and others have pointed out, “forcing” unpaid guys to travel/play might be a liability risk the NCAA ultimately wants no part of. https://t.co/MSQLjRvJUw

“The NCAA continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel,” Emmert said in a statement. “Based on their advice and my discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance.”

On Thursday, however, there were announcements that the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, American Athletic conferences and Atlantic 10 canceled their men’s basketball conference tournaments, The Washington Post reported.

The Big Ten Conference announced today that it will be canceling the remainder of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, effective immediately.https://t.co/MeQMNScXKQ

Emmert’s statement came after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he will issue an order that there would be no spectators allowed at the NCAA First Four games, which will be played in Dayton, WHIO reported.

It is unfortunate and certainly a major disappointment for many that had plans to be at the ⁦@marchmadness⁩ games but the SAFETY & the HEALTH of everyone must be the # 1 concern . ⁦@NCAA⁩ https://t.co/IztDrFZWNq

The announcements capped a hectic day -- and a busy few weeks -- in the sports world.

The biggest question looming is the status of the Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to begin in July. So far, Japanese and International Olympic Committee officials have said the Games will proceed as scheduled, but there have been talks about whether competitions should be held without spectators, The New York Times reported. There will be no spectators when the Olympic torch for the Tokyo Games is lit Thursday in Olympia, Greece, the newspaper reported.

Auto racing: Formula One officials said its upcoming Grand Prix in Bahrain will be held without spectators, while next month’s Chinese Grand Prix has been canceled. Grand Prix in Bahrain will be closed to spectators, while the Chinese Grand Prix, which had been scheduled for April, was postponed.

The NASCAR race will go on this weekend in Atlanta but without fans in the stands.

Breaking: NASCAR will race this weekend in Atlanta.... without fans. Event will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel.

Baseball: The San Francisco Giants announced Wednesday its March 24 spring training game against the Oakland Athletics was been canceled.

The ban, effective immediately, came after San Francisco health officials announced a ban on group events where 1,000 or more people were expected to gather.

“The health and safety of our community is of the utmost importance to us,” the Giants said in a statement. “In light of the City and County of San Francisco’s announcement today ... we will not play our upcoming March 24th exhibition game against the Oakland A’s at Oracle Park in San Francisco."

Basketball: The Golden State Warriors confirmed reports that their scheduled game against the Brooklyn Nets will be played Thursday night without an audience.

“Due to escalating concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, and in consultation with the City and County of San Francisco, tomorrow night’s game vs. the Nets at Chase Center will be played without fans,” team officials said in a statement.

NHL: The National Hockey League has not canceled any games as of Thursday, but are telling teams not to conduct morning skates, practices or meetings.

Given the uncertainty regarding next steps regarding the coronavirus, Clubs are advised not to conduct morning skates, practices or team meetings today.